Larry Holmes is a legendary heavyweight from a golden era that included Muhammad Ali.
Holmes was a world champion from 1978 until 1985 and is, in the eyes of most, one of the best big men ever. He won his first 48 first professional bouts and boasts victories over the likes of Ken Norton, Earnie Shavers, Mike Weaver, Gerry Cooney and Tim Witherspoon.
He fought a diminished Ali in 1980, forcing a corner retirement. Post-fight there was extreme backlash for those involved given that Ali was deemed unfit to fight prior. He would have one more contest before hanging up the gloves.
Holmes’ first loss was an upset against Michael Spinks and he would be defeated again in the rematch, which sent him into the first of a number of retirements. In 1988, he was knocked out by Tyson in four rounds. He ultimately left the sport behind in 2002 at age 52.
A resurfaced interview from Sky Sports shows Holmes being asked how ‘Iron’ Mike wold have fared in the seventies and ‘The Easton Assassin’ predicted losses against a list of greats.
“I ain’t knocking Mike Tyson, but no. Joe Frazier would beat him up. He just don’t stop. Joe liked guys like that. Kenny Norton too strong. [George Forman would win in] two seconds, he hit too hard. Anybody come at George Foreman you got to box like I did, or Ali did , you can’t stay there and take those punches. They take your head off. Bam, bam, it’s like the kitchen sink he’s hitting you with.”
He then assessed Tyson’s chances against Ali and claimed he wouldn’t get past the jab.
“Ali would slap him all day long with the jab.”
